Lady Gaga Talks VMAs Performance (Exclusive Interview)

Lady Gaga has always been hyperfocused on her craft – so much that, as she puts it, “Sometimes when I’m working, I forget to eat.” But that didn’t stop the 27-year-old pop star from giving us an exclusive interview. The 27-year-old pop star talked to JustJared.com about Sunday’s VMAs performance, her new song “Donatella“, and those pesky Katy Perry feud rumors. Check it:

Just Jared: Hi Gaga! How are you? And where are you?

Lady Gaga: I’m doing great, thanks! I’m actually in New York and I’m getting ready to leave for [VMAs] rehearsal. I’ve been rehearsing all week and I’m so excited. It’s been incredible dancing and singing again, doing all the things I love, so I’m having a really good time.

JJ: What can we expect from your VMAs performance?

LG: You can’t really expect anything. I’m always trying to create something that the fans won’t expect. It’s definitely the most physically demanding performance I’ve ever done. It requires a lot of planning and rehearsal. I’m glad to just be back on stage and be able to perform for everybody.

Click inside for the rest of JustJared.com’s exclusive interview with Gaga…

Lady Gaga – Exclusive Interview with JustJared.com

JJ: What are the most powerful lyrics from ARTPOP?

LG: That’s really hard. You’re asking me to choose one of my children! [laughs] I feel terrible. I really love the lyrics to ARTPOP, the title track of the album. “We could belong together, ARTPOP” The words seem really simple but it’s through the creative experiences with my friends that we’re able to create this thing that go together – art and pop. It’s a reverse of what Andy Warhol began – this idea that you can take Marilyn off the canvas and put the canvas inside of her. It’s in our belonging together. The album is just a metaphor for love – the love that I share with my fans.

(Editor’s Note: Gaga then shared about her new song “Donatella”)

JJ: How many songs are on the album?

LG: There’s 15 but I haven’t decided how much extra music I’m going to put out through the app. The album is also going to come out as an app on November 11.

JJ: What were the musical influences for ARTPOP?

LG: I really had a love affair with electronic music on this album. I started out playing in clubs, so I don’t really want to leave that. I always like existing under ground and over ground at the same time. I spent a lot of my time song writing with Zedd, DJ White Shadow, Madeon. We spent a lot of time together listening to our favorite kinds of music. We made an album that we love and I certainly made a record that I’m really proud of. I know the fans will really love it because they love to dance at my shows and this will be a great live show.

JJ: What can you tell us about the sequel to “Telephone“?

LG: The sequel will be on this album and I will be performing it at iTunes festival, about a week from now, September 1, live streamed.

JJ: Everyone loves to pit you against Katy Perry. How does that make you feel?

LG: The press really loves to pit women against each other. It’s just stories – entertainment for people to sell. Do we both wish that they would focus more on the music and what we have to offer as artists? Sure, but that’s just the nature of the business.

JJ: What did you have for lunch today?

LG: I haven’t eaten yet today! [laughs] I woke up a little bit later and I’m getting ready for rehearsal. Sometimes when I’m working, I forget to eat because I get so excited about what we’re doing. Trust me, you’re not the first one to yell at me for not eating breakfast or lunch today. I’ve already gotten an earful. [laughs]

JJ: What’s the last movie you saw?

LG: I’ve been watching a lot of movies lately. I won’t tell you the names because I keep it really secret. I don’t ever reveal what I’m watching because I don’t want people to know what I’m looking at for inspiration. But I’ll tell you I’ve been obsessing over stuff from the 70′s like performance art theater. Especially because I’m working with Robert Wilson, who’s doing the lighting and the set for the VMAs. He’s a theatrical legend! I know, I’m super exciting. [laughs] You know, you should just write NERD really big across my face.

JJ: Any artists of late you’re particularly obsessed with?

LG: I love Marina Abramovic, the performance artist! She’s not new but she’s been mentoring me and who I’m most psyched about right now. She’s been really instrumental in me rediscovering my discipline as a performer. I’ve been having such an incredible time spending time with her and learning from her. She really has been a life saver, and I’m so excited, centered and positive. More than ever in life, I’ll be able to show my fans how much I love them and how much I love performing for them. My time spent with her has really cleared my head, and once your head is clear and the noise is gone, you’re really able to hear your heart beat again. And my heart beats with the energy from my fans and my heart beats for the stage. That’s why I wrote “Applause“. I live for making people happy. I live for making people have fun, and inspiring them to dance and clap their hands because they’ve seen something that they love.

JJ: Since your brain is always working, how do you relax and clear it?

LG: A lot of meditation. I went out into the woods for a few days. I just disconnected from everything and allowed myself to be free and be human. Because, that’s what makes you really good, if you can be vulnerable, if you can be vulnerable on stage. It’s hard to be strong and be weak at the same time. So I spent a lot of time sitting still. Sitting still for hours, not moving a muscle. Really concentrated work, so I’m ready. I’m ready for my performance.

JJ: And, last question. Are you in the market for a blogger best friend? Because, I’m available.

LG: [laughs] That’s a really funny question. Well, I’m always on the market for a new friend, period. As your success continues to grow, you start to see who your real friends are. But I’m always looking for wonderful people to have in my life that have no agenda and aren’t fake friends. So, yes, of course. That’s very sweet and funny, and that was a nicely veiled question [laughs]. Well done, Jared! [laughs]

JJ: We can’t wait for your VMAs performance!

LG: Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time, and I really appreciate your site because you don’t have any negativity and you keep it really positive, bright, and colorful about artists and people in the public eye. I think that’s really rare nowadays. It’s very rare for people to operate with that much excitement and love for entertainment and for theater and culture, so thanks.

JJ: Thank you! We love to celebrate celebrity. That’s our goal!

LG: It’s nice. You really do, so thanks! Thanks so much. Have a great day!

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Lady Gaga‘s album and app will be available everywhere on Monday, November 11!